Spending

You know that good credit will help you get the best rates on loans (natch)—but what if you’re already stuck with high rates due to a bum credit history? Good news! Improving your credit score can help you refinance or renegotiate for better...

It’s what Donald Rumsfeld called the “known unknowns.” At some point this winter, your kids will be home sick, and your sitter will be snowed in—or sick as well. That's why every working mother needs a backup plan. Start here. Strategize....

This is part two of an ongoing series about being financially prepared for a divorce. Read part one here. Heather is a 42-year-old social worker with three kids, a house, a mortgage, and a small retirement account. She has consulted a lawyer and...

Like your favorite suit or power pumps, your choice of jewelry sends a signal about who you are—of course. But it’s not the cost of your baubles, it’s your style that speaks volumes, says Marlisa Sailer, a consultant with Style for Hire. So craft...

Women tend to be the travel agents of the family (among other roles), so when the comparison-shopping game changes, you need to know. Today, you can say goodbye to misleading ticket prices. According to new Department of Transportation rules, all...

You know you should protect yourself when you shop online, but this week’s hack of Zappos.com puts a fresh twist on how to do that. The hackers only accessed data like names, emails, and addresses—no credit card numbers. But that’s enough...

This is part one of an ongoing series about being financially prepared for a divorce. Read part two and part three. I am convinced that the second most-common New Year’s resolution—after going to the gym—has got to be getting divorced. Starting...

You can do a lot with your money on a smartphone, from checking balances to calculating tips. Soon you’ll be able to go shopping. In theory. Thus far, the so-called mobile wallet is making more headlines than transactions. A recent study found...